BOYS HOCKEY Consistency has eluded the Chippewa Falls boys hockey team for much of the season. But when it has been absolutely needed, the Cardinals have found what they've spent the winter looking for. Eighth-seeded Chippewa Falls is on to the Division 1 sectionals after putting together a 4-1 upset victory at top-seeded and top-ranked Stevens Point on Thursday evening in the regional finals.
Jackson LeMay scored two goals with fellow seniors Bret Carlson and Ethan Foiles adding empty-net goals late in the third period to power the Cardinals (10-151) while in net freshman Andrew Brovold made 48 saves. Chippewa Falls will play at Eau Claire Memorial in Tuesday's sectional semis after the fifth-seeded Old Abes knocked off fourth-seeded Hudson 3-1. The Cardinals and first-year head coach Matt Lukowitz have navigated an up-and-down regular season with significant departures on the ice and bench from a season ago after Chippewa Falls won the Big Rivers Conference and reached the Division 1 state tournament last year.
"We had to believe in ourselves," Lukowitz said. "We've seen ourselves compete with some of the best in the state. Obviously SPASH is on another level with their talent but teams can get complacent, they can be looking past you and they probably had a little bit of that tonight.
We'll take it." Lukowitz talked throughout the regular season about his team establishing a level of consistency. Chippewa Falls hung tough with several powerhouse programs at times, defeatin.
